The conversion of diverse landscapes to agriculture is a major cause of biodiversity loss worldwide. With a growing human population, this agricultural expansion is unlikely to decrease. Whilst protected areas are important in reducing global biodiversity loss and protecting species of conservation concern, agricultural practices may be considered as important to consider in global biodiversity conservation and for the continuing provision of ecosystem services. One way to influence agricultural practices is through policies such as UK governmental agri-environment schemes. Another influential route is through corporate agricultural supply chains, which cover vast amounts of agricultural land across the world.

My work takes a business view on biodiversity conservation within agricultural supply chains. This angle on conserving species uses the ecosystem services concept to understand what parts of biodiversity support specific ecosystem services that companies rely on. Agricultural supply chains are becoming ever more global, influencing many landscapes across the world when sourcing raw ingredients to continue to provide internationally popular brands of food and drink.

Working with PepsiCo as my PhD Case partner, I am able to follow the Copella agricultural supply chains to understand what dependencies are involved with biodiversity and ecosystem services and whether they provide benefits to farmers and PepsiCo in terms of profit, yield and reputation. More specifically, I am focussing on whether biodiversity supports the pest control ecosystem service on apple orchards and will try to value the importance of that service: in terms of yield and profit.

Supervisors

Professor Ken Norris, Institute of Zoology ZSL
Professor Georgina Mace, University College London

My PhD is funded by BBSRC with Case partnership funding from PepsiCo.

Curriculum Vitae

2013 – present: PhD Candidate – University College London and Institute of Zoology, ZSL